Monday, May 2, 2011

The recent news of Osama bin Laden’s demise was especially poignant today as I met with a delegation of Afghan officials at Camp Mabry. The timing of the two events was purely coincidental, but its relevance underscores the importance of this meeting designed to bring renewed promise and hope for Afghanistan.

Since 2007, Texas Army National Guard soldiers have worked with Afghan farmers through a partnership called Agribusiness Development Teams. The teams are dedicated to sharing agricultural expertise with their Afghan counterparts in an effort to help the war-ravaged nation rebuild and sustain itself through proven farming and ranching methods. The teams were developed through the cooperation of the U.S. Central Command, the Afghan government and the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M.

For years, the people of Afghanistan have struggled to feed themselves through an efficient agriculture industry due to the violent interruptions of war and terrorism. With bin Laden now permanently removed, the people of Afghanistan have more potential than ever for rebuilding their nation and especially the agriculture industry that is the cornerstone for any prosperous society.

First and foremost I’d like to thank the brave men and women in our armed forces who helped bring bin Laden to justice. Additionally, I’m grateful to the Texas Army National Guard and our friends from Afghanistan for working toward this noble goal of loosening the grip of terror and improving global relations.

About Me

TDA Mission Statement: Partner with all Texans to make Texas the nation's leader in agriculture, fortify our economy, empower rural communities, promote healthy lifestyles, and cultivate winning strategies for rural, suburban and urban Texas through exceptional service and the common threads of agriculture in our daily lives.